Living in Silicon Valley, one is accosted by technology around the clock. Yet just outside its borders lies a more pristine land of countless farms. Dusty roads meander through vast plantations of peaches and olives. Small roadside stalls sell stuff at ridiculously low prices such as avocados for a quarter. They may even store exotic delicacies like garlic ice-creams (yes you read that right).
This is part of the Central Valley of California, most productive agricultural regions of USA and the world. Tucked away in its midst are countless charming places. Such as the Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville.
Ipsita and I first visited the place sometime in 2010, for strawberry picking. It was months after our marriage, when we were flush with excitement about discovering new activities to do together. We heard about the place from a couple friend of ours and joined them in one of their regular visits. Sadly, they are now separated but we have been hooked onto Gizdich ever since.
Berry picking is loads of fun. There is an almost primeval feeling of satisfaction seeing them pile up on whatever container you’re using. And kids love them. Strawberry picking is most prevalent at Gizdich. Ollalies and blackberries too make a short seasonal appearance. Same with apples.
The berries are better than anything you’ll get in supermarket. The color is more vibrant, the bite is softer, the taste sweeter and its costs way less. However, since there are no preservatives, they don’t stay too long in refrigerators. Helpfully Gizdich hands out pamphlets with recipes for jams and pies.
Which brings me to my favorite part of Gizdich – their home-made pies in their pie-shop. I get a tingling sensation every time I stand on the line and stare at the menu board trying to decide which berry it will be today and how many scoops of ice-cream to top it. Olallieberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Very berries, Boysenberry – it is a veritable feast. The pies are one of the best we have had and we have had a lot of pies in a lot of places. Other than pies they sell the most refreshing apple juice, slush, shortcakes and tarts. We are usually too full of the pies to try those out, but I have seen them in great demand as well. Behind the pie shop is a cozy picnic and play area which makes a nice relaxing stop.
Over the years, Gizdich has become a part of our collective memory. We realize how our son has grown, when we look at his pictures taken at Gizdich across multiple visits. He was barely two weeks the first time, all wrapped up and asleep. Now he loves selecting his own berries and plucking them. When he grows up, he too will look back at these pictures with fondness. There he will see both sets of grandparents, who had accompanied him to Gizdich during their infrequent trips from distant India, picking berries and perhaps marveling at the diversity and pioneering spirit of American life. Gizdich is, after all, a 4th generation, family owned and operated, agricultural business started by a Vincent John Gizdich, a Croatian immigrant in 1937. Over the years, they have expanded their business and grown from an initial 5 acres of open ground to a sprawling 50 acre ranch of today.
As their website says, it is testimony that what made America great is still viable.